Synthesis and characterization of a polymeric material based on gum arabic by gamma radiation for purification of water

The objective of this study is to prepare interpenetrating polymer net works to be used in adsorption of heavy metal from water. (Gum Arabic (GA)/ acrylamide (AAm)) interpenetrating polymer net works (IPN) have been prepared at different compositions where Acrylamide varies between 5, 10, 15, and 20% w/w Gum Arabic solution. The percent conversion was determined gravimetrically. The swelling result of ( GA/AAm) IPN hydrogels in solutions of desired ph at a temperature of 25^O showed maximum swelling in water at ph 4.75 and the diffusion of water within ( GA/AAM) IPN hydrogels was found to be of non-fickian character at the stage of swelling. The maximum weight loss temperature and half life temperature for GA, PAAM and (GA/AAm) INP hydrogels were found from the thermal analysis. The results showed that the weight loss of hydrogels is 374 o^C. This degree was between gum arabic 317 o^C and acrylamide 400 o^C. In the adsorption experiments, the efficiency of (GA/AAm) IPN hydrogels to adsorb cooper ions from water was studied. (GA/AAm) IPN hydrogels showed maximum adsorption for different aqueous solutions of copper at ph 5.00. Adsorption isotherm was constructed for (GA/AAm) IPN copper ion. Linear type in adsorption classification system was found. The complexation between GA and copper solution was investigated and their complex stoichiometries were calculated. The result shows that the percent of gum arabic to copper ions is 2:1 the spectroscopic analysis of copper, GA, AAM and (GA/AAm) IPN hydrogels was performed. The optimum ratio used to synthesize (IPN) hydrogels was found to be: Gum Arabic 30% and Acrylamide between 10% and 15% and the best dose is 10 kGy. The efficiency of the (IPN) hydrogels to adsorb heavy metal ions found to be 47 mg/g of hydrogels.(Author)